City Hall Closure: Accessing City Services

While City Hall is closed, City staff remain hard at work and most public services continue to be available as normal - approximately 80% of City staff are working in-person on Mercer Island each day, including police, fire, municipal court, parks and recreation, public works engineers, Youth and Family Services, and maintenance employees. Many City administrative functions can be performed remotely, and those work teams have been working from home, from modified/shared workspaces in administrative areas of the Community Center, the Maintenance Building, and the Luther Burbank Administrative Building.

You can learn more about long-term planning for City Hall and City operations on Let's Talk.

Here's how to reach City staff or get information on specific City services:
 

Customer Service Team - The Fastest Way to Service

For the quickest and fastest service, community members should contact the City of Mercer Island Customer Service Team. The Customer Service Team can answer your questions about services, such as service requests, pet licensing, business licenses, or parking permits during the closure of City Hall and can assist you in getting connected to other teams or staff as needed.

206-275-7600 | customerservice@mercerisland.gov
Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm, except for City-observed holidays.

Obtaining a Permit

Permitting services are available online and permit staff can be reached remotely. The City Permitting page answers most questions about types of permits and how to obtain them.

You may also contact the Community Planning and Development department.

206-275-7605 | epermit.tech@mercerisland.gov

Making a Payment

There are multiple options for remitting payment for City bills:

  • Mercer Island Utility Bills:
    • Pay your utility bill online(External link) using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or by electronic check from your bank account (checking or savings). You can also elect to receive paperless bills via e-mail. If you have detailed questions, please see Frequently Asked Questions below.
    • Drop your bill off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040).
    • Pay your utility bill by mail by sending a check or money order to Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Please include your account number on the check.
    • Pay by Phone is now available for utility bills. Make a payment (credit card or e-check) by phone or check your account balance 24/7 with our automated phone service. Have your account number ready and call 855-844-0085.
  • Permit Fees:
    • Via the payment portal (Invoice Cloud(External link)) link listed in your invoice or communication from our Permit Services Team.
    • Drop your check payment off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Please indicate your permit # on the check.
  • Parking Permits:
    • Mail your completed application(External link) and payment to Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Permits will be sent via return mail after processing.
    • Drop your bill off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Permits will be sent via return mail after processing.
  • Pet Licenses:
    • You can buy a license online with King County.(External link)

The City’s Customer Service Team can help answer most of your questions about payment options and various licensing services during the closure and relocation of City Hall. The Customer Service Team can be reached at 206-275-7600 or at customerservice@mercerisland.gov Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm, except for City-observed holidays.

Contacting the Municipal Court

  • All payments and filings must be sent to the Mercer Island Municipal Court mailing address at 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 301, Newcastle, WA 98056. The secure drop-box located on the wall next to the front doors can also be utilized to drop-off payments.
  • For any questions or further information please contact your attorney. If you are not represented, contact the Court at 206-275-7604 or court@mercerisland.gov(External link). Court hours are Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm, closed Fridays.
  • For all tickets and court cases that were issued before January 1, 2005 you must contact the King County District Court(External link), East Division at 206-205-9200

Participating in City Council Meetings

With the closure of City Hall and Council Chambers in April, the City Council returned to virtual meetings conducted online via Zoom and available to watch live on the City’s YouTube Channel, and the City’s TV channel (MI-TV 21), as well as listening over the phone. The Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) has a meeting room available for anyone wishing to make public comment during the appearances portion of the meeting or to watch the meeting on screen.

Given the long-term nature of the City Hall closure, City staff are in the process of converting the Slater Room at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center into a Council Chambers. Staff anticipate the room will be operational and meetings will return to in-person status in late 2023.
 

Islanders are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with City operations during the City Hall closure on Let’s Talk. There, you'll find additional information on current City operations as well as long-term planning.

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